How to Write an Entry-Level Resume

When you are applying for an entry-level position, you may or may not have the exact education or experience that corresponds to the job description and requirements. Nevertheless, if you feel that you are a good fit for the position and the company, you can tailor your resume to show how your educational achievements and your relevant experience would help you perform in the job for which you are applying.

The following resume template lists the information that you should include on your resume when applying for an entry-level position.

Resume Template - Entry Level

Contact Information The first section of your resume should include information on how the employer can contact you:

Even as an entry-level professional, it’s important to capitalize upon the networking opportunities that social media sites like LinkedIn provide. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is robust and articulate, then start building your network with former instructors, peers, and people you’ve met through work or at job fairs.

Skills SummaryIn an opening skills summary, include specific mention of the skills related to the position/career field that you are applying for—for example, computer skills, language skills, and interpersonal skills like listening skills, teamwork, motivation, communications, and conflict resolution. These “keywords” should be mentioned both in the initial summary of the resume and throughout the “Experience” section. Example:

“Emerging professional positioned to utilize comprehensive training in software design, engineering best practices, Ruby on Rails, and Java to excel within entry-level Software Engineer role. Innovative and collaborative team player, thriving within deadline-critical performance settings.”

ExperienceThis section of your entry-level resume includes your work history in reverse chronological order. List the companies you worked for, their location (city and state), dates of employment, the positions you held, and a bulleted list of responsibilities and achievements. If you have completed internships, it's fine to include them in the experience section of your resume.

You can also list summer jobs along with relevant volunteer or extracurricular experience that might indicate how you are uniquely qualified for the job.

Company #1City, StateDates Worked

Job Title

Responsibilities/Achievements

Responsibilities/Achievements

Company #2City, StateDates Worked

Job Title

Responsibilities/Achievements

Responsibilities/Achievements

Customize Your Resume

In all cases, be sure to personalize and customize your resume so that it reflects your skills and abilities and connects them with the jobs you are applying for. Repeat the keywords that you have identified in the job announcement you’re interested in and also in other similar job announcements.

For example, if you are applying for a job as a restaurant team member at a restaurant that has posted that it is looking for "someone who loves to help and serve others (both customers and team members)," you might add a description of your volunteer work serving the homeless at a local soup kitchen under the “Experience” section of your resume. Try to make this description as responsive as possible to the qualifications a specific employer is seeking.

Say, for instance, that another keyword phrase in this job posting mentions that the employer wants "someone with a friendly, enthusiastic attitude." On your resume, note that your supervisor at the soup kitchen encouraged you to learn to smile at every person whom you served. These are not boasts—they are merely facts that you are adding to your resume to help the company understand your skills, even if you weren't paid.

By emphasizing both the hard and the soft skills you’ve gained during your education, summer jobs, and volunteer work in your resume, you’ll build a persuasive case for why you’re the ideal candidate for your first entry-level position.